London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Twickenham 1953

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Twickenham]#

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There have been no heavy storms during the year and the relief sewers
constructed in the Fulwell Park Estate and near Woodlawn Crescent have not,
therefore, been fully tested.
Due to the disconnection of certain premises discharging foul water into
the surface water system, pollution of this system has been reduced, but there
is still evidence that persons are either wittingly or unwittingly discharging
polluted matter into the surface water system and investigations are proceeding.
Public Cleansing.
(a) Streets. New pedestrian electrically operated vehicles have been
installed in some areas, with a result of economy in cost.
(b) Refuse Disposal. The new works at Charlton were in operation in
November, 1954.
WATER SUPPLY
I am indebted to Lt.-Col. E. F. W. Mackenzie, Director of Water Examination,
Metropolitan Water Board, for the following report:—
The water supply to the Twickenham area is abstracted from the River
Thames at Wraysbury, Laleham and Walton, purified in the storage reservoirs
at Staines, Littleton and Walton and at the filtration works at Hampton.
After filtration the water receives a small dose of chlorine and adequate
contact is provided to ensure complete action of the chlorine before the water
is pumped into supply. It is therefore possible to provide a water of consistently
high bacterial quality and yet having none or so little chlorine remaining in
the water in the distribution system that there is no likelihood of chlorine tastes
being detected by consumers.
Samples of water are collected at all stages of purification at least five
times each week and are analysed by experts at the laboratories of the Metropolitan
Water Board. Any falling off in the quality of the water is immediately
reported to the Chief Engineer's department and remedial measures are put
into operation forthwith.
The average results of chemical and bacteriological analyses of the water
are shown in Table No. 8.
Number of houses supplied by the Board :—
(a) Direct 30,141 (105,290 persons)
(b) By means of standpipes 5 (10 persons)
INDUSTRIAL HEALTH
Factories.
Most of the 351 factories in the Borough are engaged in light industries such
as the manufacture of electrical components, piston rings, aircraft parts,
nameplates, and bakery furniture. The number of persons employed in these
factories ranges from 500 in the largest to one or two in the smallest. All
factories are visited to see that proper sanitary accommodation is provided;
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